The Benefits of Taking Naltrexone at Night

The best time to take naltrexone medication could be at night, especially for anyone who is experiencing side effects like fatigue, nausea or headaches.

What You’ll Learn:

• How taking naltrexone at night can be beneficial for your sleep.

• Why taking naltrexone at night helps manage other side effects.

• The benefit of waking up knowing you’re covered for the day.

• How nighttime dosing can have a positive effect on endorphins.

• The advantage of adding naltrexone to your nighttime routine.

• Signs that you should avoid nighttime naltrexone dosing.

Timing naltrexone doses is an important part of using the treatment to reduce alcohol use. A key consideration is balancing out the need to curb alcohol cravings with managing any side effects from the medication and alcohol reduction. It’s an adjustment period in more ways than one as the body recovers, you incorporate daily dosing into your schedule and you change your lifestyle to support healthier habits.

We’ve discussed the benefits of taking naltrexone in the morning, now we’re looking at the advantages of taking naltrexone at night.

Use Fatigue Instead of Fighting It

Sometimes you can use the physical response of taking a new medication to your advantage. That’s the case for some people who experience fatigue when naltrexone treatment starts.

Fatigue is one of the more common side effects, even though only a small percent of people are affected. Instead of fighting the fatigue throughout the day, you can take naltrexone at night so that it helps ease you to sleep.

Avoid Dealing With Gastrointestinal Problems

The most common side effect of naltrexone is nausea. It’s a short-term issue that can happen in the first few days or weeks of taking naltrexone. Many people find that reducing the dose or splitting it into two smaller doses tends to correct nausea. If you’re still feeling nauseous, taking naltrexone at night after having dinner can also help.

Not only are you taking the medication with food, which is recommended, you’ll also hopefully sleep through most of the discomfort.

Lower Risk of Headaches With Nighttime Dosing

Another side effect that some people experience, that could be from the alcohol reduction rather than a response to naltrexone, is headaches. If you’re having headaches you can safely take an over the counter medication, but sleeping through it also helps.

Part of the reason headaches may happen, usually when you first start using naltrexone or increase your dosage, is because the medication alters opioid receptor neurotransmitters. When naltrexone blocks opioid receptors it can alter the way pain is felt and processed. The result can be a tension-like headache.

Most people adjust to the medication and alcohol reduction within a week or so, and once that happens the headaches tend to resolve on their own.

Deal With Dizziness by Taking Naltrexone Before Getting Into Bed

Another side effect that could be experienced with naltrexone is dizziness. If this occurs, taking naltrexone just before could be the solution. That way you’re lying down with your eyes closed and not feeling like the room is spinning.

Wake Up Knowing Your Ready For the Day

When you take naltrexone shortly before bed you’ll wake up knowing that you’re prepared for the day ahead already. There’s no mental obstacle course to go through trying to decide if you should take it or concern about not being covered if you need it unexpectedly. You’re starting the day ready to curb alcohol cravings.

Get a Boost of Endorphins With Nighttime Naltrexone

Chronic alcohol consumption can alter endorphin production in the brain. When you decide to reduce or quit drinking, there will be an adjustment period when the opioid system is getting back to normal and regulating.

Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors, which can create a surge of natural endorphins. It can help with sleep and lowering inflammation while your body is in repair mode.

Make It a Part Your Nighttime Routine to Make it a Habit

Just as with making a naltrexone part of your morning routine, there are benefits to making it a part of your nighttime routine. If you take it during your normal nighttime routine you can use habit stacking to make it easier to remember your naltrexone. Essentially, the things you already do every night to get ready for bed can help serve as a trigger that tells you to take your naltrexone.

For example, you could keep your naltrexone right next to your toothpaste so that every night after brushing your teeth you know to take your daily naltrexone dose once you’re done. It will make taking naltrexone part of a predictable routine that you do every day.

Signs That You Should Avoid Nighttime Naltrexone Dosing

While there are a number of benefits to taking naltrexone at night, for some people daytime dosing makes more sense. You’ll want to avoid nighttime naltrexone dosing if:

• You experience vivid dreams or nightmares

• Insomnia is a problem

• You need to make sure the medication is in your system later in the day

The best time to take naltrexone is different for each person. It can be a matter of working around initial side effects or fitting it into your day so that you don’t miss a dose when you need it most. What’s most important is finding a time that ensures you take naltrexone consistently.

If you are in the initial phase of exploring naltrexone and want to know more about how it can help you control your drinking take the Alcohol Use Assessment online. It will provide a clearer look at if your drinking habits are taking a toll on your health. You can also take the assessment as the first step in receiving a naltrexone prescription online through Choose Your Horizon to get the additional support you need to make the most of medication-assisted treatment.